Quick Answer
SBI PO Prelims 2026 is expected November 14 — three days away. With 100 questions in 60 minutes across English, Quant, and Reasoning, the margin between selection and rejection is sectional cutoffs plus accuracy, not raw speed. This is the 72-hour plan.
The numbers that decide your fate
| Section | Questions | Time (suggested) | Good Attempts |
|---|---|---|---|
| English Language | 30 | 15 min | 22–25 |
| Quantitative Aptitude | 35 | 20 min | 20–24 |
| Reasoning Ability | 35 | 20 min | 24–28 |
| Total | 100 | 60 min | 66–77 |
Note: sectional timing is suggested, not mandated — but the on-screen sectional timer enforces a per-section order in most SBI exams. Check the official instructions on your admit card.
Day 1 (Nov 12): sectional accuracy audit
Run one full-length sectional test per section — not three simultaneously. For each, track two numbers: attempts per minute and accuracy on attempted. Your weakest ratio decides where Day 2 goes. Common findings:
- English: Reading comprehension eats time — practise skipping detail questions within a passage set.
- Quant: DI tables are the time sink — practise 5-question sets in 4 minutes.
- Reasoning: Puzzles are all-or-nothing — if a 5-question puzzle isn’t crackable in 2 minutes, mark it and move.
Day 2 (Nov 13): one full mock + strategy lock
Take one full mock in the actual 60-minute format at the same time of day as your exam slot. Two things to lock:
- Section order: Most toppers start with their strongest section — confidence compounds. Fix your order and don’t change it on exam day.
- Time cap per section: Write it on your rough sheet the moment the exam starts. When the cap hits, move — even with questions left.
After the mock, spend the evening on your error log — not new topics. Re-solve every question you got wrong. This is the highest-ROI study of the entire three days.
Day 3 (Nov 14 — exam day): the checklist
- Morning: Read your formula sheet and shortcut notes (10 minutes each for Quant and Reasoning). No new questions.
- Admit card + photo ID + pen: Checked and packed the night before.
- Reach the centre 90 minutes early — SBI biometric verification can take time.
- First 2 minutes: Read instructions, then scan the first section for the 5 easiest questions. Start with confidence.
The three rules that separate selected from rejected
- Accuracy over attempts. 65 right out of 70 attempted beats 75 right out of 90 — negative marking (−0.25 per wrong) punishes guesswork.
- Never leave a section blank. Sectional cutoffs exist — 12/30 in English with 100% accuracy can clear; 0/30 cannot.
- The puzzle is not a puzzle if you can’t solve it in 2 minutes. Mark, skip, return. The software lets you navigate freely within a section.
Exam angle
How exams use this: SBI PO Prelims is a selection test, not a knowledge test — it rewards decision-making under a clock. Train the exact pattern with Banking-pattern mock tests (+1/−0.25, real timer, question palette) and let the topic breakdown tell you which section owns your remaining hours.
FAQ
What is the SBI PO Prelims cutoff like? Varies by year and category; recent General-category overall cutoffs have ranged 55–65 out of 100. Sectional cutoffs are typically 8–12 per section.
Is there negative marking? Yes — 0.25 deducted per wrong answer. Blank answers carry no penalty.
When is the Mains? The Mains exam typically follows 2–3 weeks after the Prelims result. Check sbi.co.in for the official calendar.
Related reading
- UPSC DAF 2026: Complete Guide for 2,526 Interview Candidates
- Socio-Religious Reform Movements in 19th Century India: Brahmo Samaj to Aligarh Movement (UPSC Notes)
Quick revision
- English: Reading comprehension eats time — practise skipping detail questions within a passage set.
- Quant: DI tables are the time sink — practise 5-question sets in 4 minutes.
- Reasoning: Puzzles are all-or-nothing — if a 5-question puzzle isn’t crackable in 2 minutes, mark it and move.
- Section order: Most toppers start with their strongest section — confidence compounds. Fix your order and don’t change it on exam day.
- Time cap per section: Write it on your rough sheet the moment the exam starts. When the cap hits, move — even with questions left.
- Morning: Read your formula sheet and shortcut notes (10 minutes each for Quant and Reasoning). No new questions.
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